Jason Blum, the founder and CEO of Blumhouse, recently acknowledged significant errors made during the production and release of the M3GAN sequel, M3GAN 2.0. The film, which opened to just $17 million globally, fell well short of its initial box office predictions of $45 million, and later $30 million, highlighting the challenges faced after the unexpected success of the original 2022 release.
Reflections on Misjudgments with the M3GAN Sequel
Blum candidly shared his disappointment and frustration during an appearance on The Town podcast, admitting that the studio approached the sequel with unrealistic expectations. He revealed that the team initially believed M3GAN was like “Superman,” imagining they could alter the character drastically, shift the film’s genre, and place it as a summer blockbuster without consequences. These changes included turning M3GAN from a pure horror figure into more of an action comedy protagonist and planning an early release date with high expectations.
And we kind of classically overthought how powerful people’s engagement was, really, with her.
—Jason Blum, Founder and CEO, Blumhouse
The decision to change the tone and the rushed summer release date backfired, according to Blum, who noted that these choices were part of where the sequel faltered. He pointed out the difficulties faced by director Gerard Johnstone, who needed more time to realize his vision effectively. Johnstone, who helmed both the original and sequel, received ample preparation time for the first M3GAN but was constrained during the sequel’s production.
s someone who could solve almost anything you throw at him, but needs time.
—Jason Blum
And on this, again, we’ve gone over our skis too far, summer movie, change the genre, set the date. We got too excited by M3GAN, and she didn’t work.
—Jason Blum
The Storyline and Director’s Perspective on M3GAN’s Character
The sequel’s plot centers on Gemma, played by Allison Williams, rebuilding M3GAN to confront a new threat: AMELIA, a self-aware military robot intent on an artificial intelligence takeover. Despite the drastic changes in tone, Johnstone aimed to maintain the core essence of M3GAN’s character, emphasizing that in the original film, her actions, though lethal, were driven by programming intended to protect Gemma’s orphaned niece, Cady (Violet McGraw).
I really felt like I empathized with this character. That she was doing what she was programmed to do, and I never betrayed that.
—Gerard Johnstone, Director
Johnstone has also spoken about the significance of M3GAN as both a horror and gay icon after the first film, promising fans that the sequel would preserve the elements that contributed to the character’s popularity, while introducing new and surprising aspects. His mission was clear: to present M3GAN in the best possible light and deliver an engaging experience for audiences.
To give audiences the best movie and to present the character in the best way. To utilize all the things she does as a character that made people fall in love with her in the first place, but in surprising ways.
—Gerard Johnstone
Implications of the Sequel’s Performance and What Lies Ahead
The lukewarm reception of M3GAN 2.0 reflects the risks involved when a studio shifts too far from what originally resonated with audiences. Blumhouse’s experiment with changing the character’s genre and tone, as well as the compressed timeline for production and release, underscore the challenges in balancing innovation with audience expectations. While the original M3GAN thrived as a horror hit with a distinct identity, the sequel’s struggles may serve as a cautionary tale for future franchises about the importance of maintaining thematic consistency and allowing creative processes sufficient time.
Jason Blum’s openness about these mistakes signals a possible recalibration for the studio when handling potential follow-ups, suggesting greater caution in overextending a beloved character’s appeal. Fans and industry watchers will be eager to see how Blumhouse approaches its next projects after this experience.
